De Bruyne says he could quit Man City if Champions League ban is upheld

Kevin De Bruyne has hinted that he could quit Manchester City if the club's Champions League ban is upheld.

The Belgian international insists that his future at the Etihad will NOT be shaped by whether Pep Guardiola decides to sign a new contract to stay at the club.

But he has revealed his concern over UEFA's decision to ban the Blues from Europe for two seasons for breaking FFP regulations.

And De Bruyne has admitted for the first time that it might have a bearing on where he will spend the peak years of his career.

De Bruyne said: “I'm just waiting. The club has told us that they are going to appeal - and that they are almost 100 percent sure that they are right.

“That's why I'm waiting to see what will happen. I trust my team.

“Once the statement is made, I will review everything.

“Two years would be long. In the case of one year I might see.”

De Bruyne, talking on a video call with Belgian publication HLN, was asked about whether Guardiola's plans would affect his future.

The Catalan is out of contract in the summer of 2021, but the midfielder replied: “Not particularly.

“I think Pep said he will be here next year anyway, no matter what.

“Then his contract ends. But I'm not going to let my decision depend on what Pep is doing.

“Of course I have already worked with other trainers and when Pep leaves, I have to continue working with someone else.

“But I haven't really paid much attention to that for the time being.

“There are more important things at the moment.”

There will be no shortage of takers should De Bruyne decide to leave Manchester if City's ban is confirmed when the Court of Arbitration for Sport hears their appeal.

Real Madrid and Barcelona are big admirers, while Bayern Munich tried to land the 28-year-old before he joined City in a £55million deal from Wolfsburg in the summer of 2015.

He was outstanding when City beat Madrid 2-1 in the Bernabeu in the Champions League in March, captaining the side and scoring the winner from the penalty spot.

De Bruyne said: “To be honest, I'm very happy with City. 

“I play for one of the best teams in the world, play in England - for my competitive view the best competition - and I like that.

“It remains a challenge to be the best and I need that too.

“What is coming is coming. But it's not that I've tried to leave City in those five years.

“I have also remained calm for my previous transfers.

“I have never had any problems and have always waited for my moment.”